By Scott Bragg, LPC, CAADC, CCTP
Alexithymia is an important clinical word in the field of mental health. The word, though, reminds me of an 80’s hard rock album title. Despite my warped sense of humor, it is an old Latin term that describes one’s difficulty in naming and expressing emotions. Men, in fact, experience this issue more than women. Men more often struggle with developing vocabulary for emotions related to sadness and fear. The struggle with emotions can lead to severe issues, such as aggression and even violent behavior.
This struggle with experiencing emotions can play out in more “normal” ways. Traditional male culture calls for traits of masculinity that go as far to restrict emotions related to vulnerability. Men often try to avoid appearing “weak” and “needy”. By not addressing their needs (like expressing their feelings), men often experience negative life events, such as the ones below:
- Decreased satisfaction in marital relationships.
- Struggles with communication in relationships.
- Fear of intimacy.
- Isolation/withdrawal from others.
- Not recognizing physical/bodily signs of emotions.
- Depression
- A decreased sense of fulfillment and joy in life.
Alternatively, the ability to name one’s emotion is linked to these results:
- Greater satisfaction in marital relationships.
- Better communication.
- Better understanding of self.
- Increased engagement and better relationships as a dad/caregiver.
These findings represent that identifying and finding words for emotions are underestimated. It highlights the importance of naming and experiencing emotions. It also shows that boys benefit from learning how to identify and emotions their emotions at earlier stages of their lives. Support from loved ones and friends, having outlets to express emotions, education about emotional intelligence, and even contacting a licensed therapist can be vital factors in improving mental health for boys and men alike.
Scott Bragg is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Addictions Counselor in Pennsylvania. This blog is intended for educational purposes and should not serve as a substitute for seeking mental health treatment.
Sources/links: 1. Karakis,E & Levant, R. (2012) Is Normative Male Alexithymia Associated with Relationship Satisfaction Fear of Intimacy, and Communication Quality Among Men in Relationships? Journal of Men’s Studies, Fall2012, Vol20Issue3, P179-186
2. Pope-Velea O. Trutescu, C., Deaconesu, L. (2019), The Impact of Balint Work of Alexithymia, Perceived Stress, Social Support, and Burnout Among Physicians in Palliative Care., International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 32, p53-36.
3. Romanelli,Assael. (Apr. 2023), Psychology Today. P29
4. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/boys-men-practice-guidelines.pdf (2018). APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice for Boys and Men.